Time and Chinatown

Ng uses time to tell the story differently than the novels that we've read so far in Professor Schaub's class. The novel starts off in the present and goes back in the past in an orderly fashion, much like how we would evaluate our past because of difficult events or situations. This is very different than how time was used in novels we've read such as The Sound and the Fury and In Our Time. Do you think that the way time is used in this novel is efficient at getting across Ng's story?

Also, Ng writes about Chinatown and how tourists come to see the bright lights and colors. Have you ever been to Chinatown and how does her representation of it change your views about it? What were your opinions towards Chinatown before reading about why it is the way it is today and the hardships the Chinese have faced?

Ona and Abel

Ona is a part of the Western world in a way that Abel was not. In fact, on page 26, Ona talks about how depressing it can be to go into Chinatown and see the "hard life." Chinatown can be comparable to Abel's village. However, though Ona's environment is different from Abel's, they seem to be facing the same tensions between generation and identity. I think that Ona will become a "hybrid," like Professor Schaub talked about in lecture, a combination of both identites, like Abel. Do you disagree or agree with this? This could also be related to Raisin in the Sun with the generation gap.

Bone and History

In the same way that Momaday incorporates Native American tradition and history into House Made of Dawn, how does Ng incorporate Chinese tradition and history into Bone?

Symbols and Relationships

Per Sona:

In House made of dawn, there are many similarities between Francisco, Abel's grandfather, and
Ben shows a paralleism between Abel's life in L.A. and Walatowa. There are always dual characteristic in this novel like Ben and franciso, Milly and Angela, and Pries of sun and Father Olguin.
What does this dualism represent?

From Prof. Shaubb's lecture, he talked about Eagle as a symbol, and i think it represent freedom.
what other symbolic figures are in this novel other than eagle?
why do you think Momaday choose that specific figures?

Running Circles

Per Ryan B:

The theme of running goes full circle in the book, as Abel participates in a running race in the beginning and the end of the novel. Running also is significant in the maturation process of two of the characters, Franciscoc and Abel. Also, Abel assumes the role of the leader of the family traditions during the race. Running symbolizes so many things in the book. Can anybody think of other things that running is meant to symbolize?

Chasing Evil

Per Dan Rosewall:

In House Made of Dawn there is a lot of focus on chasing evil. Abel killing the white man was regarded as nothing more than getting rid of an evil spirit and accepted in their community. Also with the men running after evil when Abel was laying on the shore. What do you think this evil they're chasing after? Is it possible to define it?

Importance of the Priests

We see in The House Made of Dawn the representations of two forms of priests one in Father Olguin and the other in the form of Tosamah, the priest of the sun. I would argue that both are ways to remember the past. They each tell stories from the past and try to be a central uniting force. In a way I would say it is bringing two separate beliefs systems and molding into one??? Thoughts? What implications or importance might this have in Abel's life? Can he be at home in both of these preachers ways?